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April 2025 Archipelago (In progress)

@Explorer of Time How doable is Bill the Walrus Fisherman in your Short Hike game? It's got my Green Goblet which I'm 99% sure gets me my digging ability in M&L, which is like a third of the game's checks for me lol?
That, I can do as soon as I finish my current level in A Hat in Time.
 
A Hat in Time
Update #2


I returned to the Subcon Forest, with the Dweller Mask from A Short Hike and the Brewing Hat from Stardew Valley, and got all the checks that were locked behind hats here. I found a Bucket for Claire on top of a series of large floating rocks, and Slow2 Time Magic from blowing up a gravestone. Inside a ghostly tree stump, I found Laser Targeting Systems to increase the range and vision of Liberators in SC2, including the Midnight Rider mercs I can already build. Everything else left here was filler, though.

I then went on a Train called the Owl Express, where I found the second Leah Heart in the Cafeteria. I then got tasked to solve a murder, and found the Mush Badge for Mario and Luigi along the way in the Luggage Room. I accused our very own Setsuna of the murder, only to find that the rival filmmaker DJ Grooves was disguised as her, and that the murder was a fake murder used for movie footage. As a reward, the directors gave Upper Slash for KH2.
 
Also @Devalue Any chance for S4 Bazo in your HollowKnight world? That's the thing I need to go to the woods, also in M&L.
Has not unlocked Stage 4 yet, so not possible right now. Also technically needs Weapon Enchantments and another +1 Growth to be in logic, as far as upgrades go. Does not mind attempting a stage below the logical stat requirements. Feels pretty light on other stat upgrades at the moment, however. Tied Attack and Speed upgrades to logic (which have been exceeded). As for the others not tied to logic...
  • +Max HP: 0/10
  • +Critical: 0/5
  • +Haste: 2/5
  • +Experience: 0/5
  • +Pick Up Range: 0/10
  • Regeneration: 0/5
  • +Defense: 2/5
  • +Skill damage: 0/10
  • +Food Drop: 5/5
  • +Enhance Rate: 0/5
  • Special Cooldown Reduction: 0/5

Receives most of those in +2 or +3 amounts. Totals 28 items. Got 4 of them so far. Would not be too hopeful to reach the ~14 minute mark (and to also kill said mini-boss).

Will gladly hint for Stage 4 late tomorrow, though. Considers any stage hint to be a good one. Wants to beat the stage that is available first, as well as some "quick" checks in Stardew Valley, before hinting for it.
__________________

@Setsuna Cannot reach the location with Hammer at present. Requires removing the Railroad Boulder (different from the Glittering Boulder removed by Explorer of Time) and the Dark Talisman. Has the latter of the two.

Does not mind hinting for the other one too much. Needs a fish from that area before the end of the game anyways. Will hint for it late tomorrow after running through the new Holocure stage and some of the newly unlocked "quick" checks in Stardew Valley. Might get lucky.
 
Okay, finally getting stuck in a bit. I have a bit on so won't be doing crazy writeups or anything for the whole thing, but will at least post what I've got of importance (labelled as progression tldr).

Leaf Green

Now that we can move around, I've got to work zooming around and catching an actual team, so I can actually play the game lmao. Decided to tackle Cerulean and the surrounding first of all, as that at least went to a dead end and I could tick off most of the checks here (minus mostly the Fishing encounters right now).

After that I decided to clear the "spokes" of the wheel as it were, so went to each city available (and their connecting routes) from Saffron and then rinse and repeat until everything was sorted. As we have a few items already, I managed to get a huge chunk of big checks done, including the Pokémon Tower, Silph Co. and the Rocket Hideout.

It was around this point that I realised something quite tragic. As my shops hold AP Items and maybe some items for me (at a quantity of 1), it means I can't freely get items. Which means I can't just buy Poké Balls. Which makes encounter checks fun! I unfortunately realised this after I had used all the balls I had, so I won't be doing any encounter checks right now, so I can save any balls I get for any important checks.

...and I had to do all of the above again, as I clipped my load save state hotkey and erased basically most of the progress (I had done Cerulean, Vermilion and Lavender and was halfway through Celadon's checks), so that was fun!

Another fun thing is that I have type shuffle on. This means that each type will be changed to a different one i.e. all Fire Pokémon are now Bug, etc etc. I THINK the Types are:
- Normal -> Dark
- Fire -> Rock
- Water -> Bug
- Electric -> Ghost
- Grass -> Dragon
- Ice -> Steel
- Fighting -> Poison
- Poison -> Electric
- Ground -> Psychic
- Flying -> Grass
- Psychic -> Ice
- Bug -> Fighting
- Rock -> Fire
- Ghost -> Normal
- Dragon -> Ground
- Dark -> Water
- Steel -> Flying

Around 400 checks later, I have now done everything I can in Leaf Green (i.e. every location/trainer etc. check, but not encounters), so I'll start FF12 now and do that in another post!

Items found

Spoiler: Setsuna

Spoiler: EoT

Spoiler: Deva

Spoiler: Cherrim

Spoiler: Vendily

Spoiler: Alex
 
It was around this point that I realised something quite tragic. As my shops hold AP Items and maybe some items for me (at a quantity of 1), it means I can't freely get items. Which means I can't just buy Poké Balls. Which makes encounter checks fun! I unfortunately realised this after I had used all the balls I had, so I won't be doing any encounter checks right now, so I can save any balls I get for any important checks.
Check the second floor of the Pokemon Center. Might contain a non-randomized shop with Pokeballs. (Looked into the Fire Red / Leaf Green Discord thread occasionally. Remembers seeing something like that. Cannot recall if that was the final decision or not.)

Still costs money that could be used for checks instead, of course.
 
Check the second floor of the Pokemon Center. Might contain a non-randomized shop with Pokeballs. (Looked into the Fire Red / Leaf Green Discord thread occasionally. Remembers seeing something like that. Cannot recall if that was the final decision or not.)

Still costs money that could be used for checks instead, of course.
You lifesaver!!!!! I must have missed that in the YAML and just haven't checked there to see. Well in that case I will do those encounters probably tomorrow now. Thank you!
 
A Short Hike
Update #2


I hiked up the mountain and found a Tough Bird who sold me a Cloak module for Nova in SC2, and a Lamp for my LttP. He also tricked me into buying an ordinary Canned Soup* and 13 Angry Chickens* for 200 coins, and I don't have enough money for his last item yet. I then flew back down to check out a new XL Graffiti pattern for Setsuna. On the Blackwood Trail, I found a Mannequin for Kirby's Great Cave Offensive, then hiked up to Lookout Point for another M Graffiti. I met a dog up here who offered Stage 3 for Holocure, then flew to Meteor Lake.

*Joke items for ArchipIDLE

At Meteor Lake, I picked up the second Marnie Heart on the beach, then got the Green Goblet for Mario and Luigi from Bill the Walrus Fisherman. I found Leviathan in the lake, who offered to teach Levia Esper Magic to the FF5 party. I then caught a fish in the lack who had swallowed a book called The Diamond Hunter, and sent the book to Stardew Valley.

Further along in Blackwood Trail, I found the Meteor Staff for KH2, and learned a new M Graffiti pattern from Taylor the Turtle that I taught to the Bomb Rush Crew. I found the esper Hashmal on Blackwood Cliff, and recruited him for the FF12 party. I went back up the mountain and found another L Graffiti along the Bucket Path, and flew back down for Stardew Valley's Shipping Bin along the cliff on the northern east coast.

I spent time visiting the Artist all around the main island, and he thanked me by giving SetsunaLG's Card Key 6F. Next to him, behind the visitor center, I found a Progressive Mine Elevator that can be packed up and moved to Stardew Valley. I then went up Good Creek Path, found a Time Piece above the waterfall, and flew down to find the second Krobus Heart nearby. I went back to the Lighthouse and found an infestation of Zerg Roaches under it, and they were warped out by the Protoss, giving me my first Zerg unit.

I flew back to Sid Beach, to find the Flesh Prince vacationing here, and he joined the Bomb Rush Crew. I then found a Small Key for the Ice Palace on another cliff, then some Marine Stimpacks and Stage 4 for Holocure on the Visitor's Center Beach. I finally beat Avery in a race to the Old Building, and got the Fire Rod Item for FFV.

EDIT: I bought the Jingisukan for HoloCure from Sunhat Island. I can theoretically buy one more shop check if I comb every last coin off the map, but realistically I'll need the Shovel for it.
 
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@Explorer of Time How doable is Bill the Walrus Fisherman in your Short Hike game? It's got my Green Goblet which I'm 99% sure gets me my digging ability in M&L, which is like a third of the game's checks for me lol?

Also @Devalue Any chance for S4 Bazo in your HollowKnight world? That's the thing I need to go to the woods, also in M&L.
Received Stage 4 one hour after posting. So....

Holocure (Update 3)
Saves a larger overview for later. Already posted about logic and stuff surrounding this not long ago anyways.

Went down the line with the Council Promise talents (now just "Promise"). Needed someone good. Considers three separate characters here good. Had better items for Mumei. Chose her.

Operates on pure damage. Begins with a feather attack, not unlike Zeta's attacks. Proves considerably more effective for two reasons: more damage and also homing at max level. Lucked out on stamps as well. Boosted this with 2 extra feathers (up from...3?), lifesteal, and reduced time between attacks. Hoped to see these stamps. Got all three in the first four stamps (out of 20 total).

Snapped a screenshot of the mini-boss at the 14 minute mark. Turned out to be the wrong one. Dropped to half health taking the screenshot too. Actually wanted this thing at the 16 minute mark:
[PokeCommunity.com] April 2025 Archipelago (In progress)
Happens to be Zeta's fan.

Beat it and the stage without too much issue. Never revived. Also never got Focus Shades, which helps a ton with ranged damage (and was part of the reason for picking Mumei). Oh well.

Snagged the Beanbean Brooch. Reports little else exciting, sadly.
 
I hiked up the mountain and found a Tough Bird who sold me a Cloak module for Nova in SC2, and a Lamp for my LttP. He also tricked me into buying an ordinary Canned Soup* and 13 Angry Chickens* for 200 coins, and I don't have enough money for his last item yet.
Though it's too late now, it's cheaper to buy the first item (100 coins), ask about the bird's deal and offer to pay for the tuition in one shot (400 coins), then buy the remaining 3 items for 40 coins each instead of 100, which saves you 180 coins. Might be helpful if you ever play A Short Hike again.
 
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@Setsuna Cannot reach the location with Hammer at present. Requires removing the Railroad Boulder (different from the Glittering Boulder removed by Explorer of Time) and the Dark Talisman. Has the latter of the two.

Does not mind hinting for the other one too much. Needs a fish from that area before the end of the game anyways. Will hint for it late tomorrow after running through the new Holocure stage and some of the newly unlocked "quick" checks in Stardew Valley. Might get lucky.

No problem! I haven't hit the Old Tower just yet so you've got some time. That, or it's totally possible someone could just find Stone for me and Hammer won't even be necessary. I'm done the Arena and most of Milky Way Wishes now anyways, so getting it for boss fights isn't a worry in my mind.
 
Though it's too late now, it's cheaper to buy the first item (100 coins), ask about the bird's deal and offer to pay for the tuition in one shot (400 coins), then buy the remaining 3 items for 40 coins each instead of 100, which saves you 180 coins. Might be helpful if you ever play A Short Hike again.
Thank you, but this would've gotten me enough to get that check. I need roughly 50 more than that would've saved me.

I also got the four chests on Hawk Peak after getting the third Golden Feather. One had a Pinewood Chop for FF12, and another had a Max HP Up for KH2.
 
Doom 2, Update #2

The Spirit World
: This level of Hell was unlocked by Alex defeating the Route 104 Twins. This had three Progression Items: the Hide & Seek Frequency for Outer Worlds, a Farming Level, and a Small Key for Thieves Town. It also had lots of Useful items, including Pray Ability for FFV, a TM for Emerald, Gil Toss for FF12, a Tank Badge for Mario and Luigi, Lv. 1 Terran Ship Weapons, Trigger Overrides that increase my Wraiths' attack speed the more they attack, and a Missile Expansion for Metroid Prime. There's still one locked room here, which has a single item that I need the level's Yellow Skull Key to get.

I don't have enough time to play more tonight, but I have much more time tomorrow than I did the past few days, so I should BK this game then.
 
A Short Hike
Update #3


With the Stick obtained from the FF12 clear, I played a game of Beachstickball, and won a fifth Golden Feather as a prize. With this Golden Feather, and the help of the Bucket, I was finally able to ascend to the top of Hawk Peak, fish up the last uncaught Fish, and fly down to Secret Island Peak to pick up a Progressive Club for Stardew Valley. I then raced Avery to the top, and won a Bottle with a Fairy in it for LttP.

I've hinted for all six of the remaining non-Seashell progression items. Coincidentally, every other person in this Archipelago has one of those six items. I'll need all of these to goal, as well as 9 more Seashells for a total of 15. I'll hint those once I get close enough to hint for the last three or four.

The most important item I need left is the Shovel, and it can be found at @Vendily's EotE Ship Log: Hidden Gorge Slide Reel 2 - Burned. This unlocks most of my remaining checks.

I will also need the Motorboat Key, which can be found at @Devalue's Friendsanity: Linus 10 <3 in Stardew Valley. This unlocks one check.

@Setsuna, Scientist Gideon at the Rocket Warehouse has stolen my Camping Permit. If you get it back, I can get a single check.

@Arcaneum, if you can catch a Ralts, often found while fishing in Route 19 with the Super Rod, it will hold my Headband, which will unlock a single check.

@Alex_Among_Foxes, In Route 121, there's a Shell Necklace in the second maze. Pick it up for me, and I can get one check immediately, and a second once I get all 15 Seashells.

In the Land of Dragons (LoD2), @Cherrim can find my Wristwatch on the Throne Room Palace Map. This'll unlock a single check.
 
The most important item I need left is the Shovel, and it can be found at @Vendily's EotE Ship Log: Hidden Gorge Slide Reel 2 - Burned. This unlocks most of my remaining checks.
I can't get there until i get my Launch Codes, and then one of either the Stranger Light Modulator or the Breach Override Codes (two different entrances to the same region, with different checks for them).
I don't want to hint too many items so early on, but Launch Codes in general opens a lot of checks (the remaining planets, especially Timber Hearth, as I have the Translator for it).
@Setsuna would need to get them for me, at the Route 17 - West Stone Path Hidden Item (Bottom) in LeafGreen.
 
Thanks for letting me know!

[PokeCommunity.com] April 2025 Archipelago (In progress)

@Setsuna, Scientist Gideon at the Rocket Warehouse has stolen my Camping Permit. If you get it back, I can get a single check.
This shouldn't be too bad? But I'll need my Rainbow Pass for this. I'm assuming learning the passwords is just something I can do on my own and I don't need extra checks to do that as long as I can navigate the islands?

@Setsuna would need to get them for me, at the Route 17 - West Stone Path Hidden Item (Bottom) in LeafGreen.
This on the other hand is uhhh... hm. I'm gonna need my PokeFlute (which I've already hinted for, but is locked behind needing the Cascade Badge and Cut) as well as the Bicycle. So it's locked behind three different things and I'm not really able to hint for any of them currently. I'll keep you updated on how it's going if you'd like, but it's not looking like I'll be able to get them any time soon, unfortunately.
 
Doom 2, Update #3

The Pit:
This level, obtained from FF12's release, didn't have any Progression items. However, it did have Infernal Plating to increase the armor of my Hellions, once I get them, an appropriate location for such an item considering that I killed many demons to get it. I also found a Never-Melt Ice for Emerald, two Stardrops and a Quality Sprinkler for Stardew, and also taught MP Rage to Goofy.

Suburbs: Also obtained from FF12's release, this level had a Heart Container for Zelda 1, two TMs (1 for Emerald and the other for LeafGreen), Aerial Dive and Magnet Burst for KH2, and a Lucky Punch for AlexEM. Only the Heart Container was Progression.

Industrial Zone, Pt. 1: Found through a portal in a block in Woohoo Hooniversity, this demon-infested city had two Progression items, the Grapple Beam for Metroid Prime and 24 REP for BRC. It also had several Useful items, including Slow Time Magic and Life2 White Magic for FFV, MP Rage for KH2, improved armor for Siege Tanks in Siege Mode, and some more Starting Vespene for my SC2. But the most heavily-guarded item here, in the center of the central fortress, was a recording of The DK Rap, a joke item for ArchipIDLE. To fully explore the Industrial Zone, I will need the level's Yellow Keycard.

The Citadel: This demonic castle, uncovered by Devalue at Floor 40 of the Stardew Valley Mines, didn't have any Progression items, but it did have a few other things for my Starcraft. First off, it had Khaydarin Amulets to increase the energy of my High Templars and Signifiers, Shaped Hulls to increase Diamondback HP, and Hunter Strain tech to allow my Banelings to jump up cliffs and leap towards enemies. Its only notable non-SC2 item was Goofy's Item Boost for KH2.

The Chasm: Obtained from ArchipIDLE, this map had the 2F Card Key for SetsunaLG, and the Proud Fang for KH2 for Progression items that are still necessary. I am sure Simba will be happy to have his teeth back. I also found another Golden Feather, and Protoss Phoenixes, neither of which unlocks anything new now, but both will make their games slightly easier. I also found Superior Warp Gates, to allow my Warp Gates to have three charges instead of one, and Lv. 1 Terran Infantry Armor. Last, I found a Deep Sea Scale for Emerald, which will be useful if AlexEM wants a Gorebyss.

The Abandoned Mines, Pt. 1: As it turns out, Hell has mines too, just like Stardew Valley. I entered a portal from the S.S. Chuckola Storage Room, and took down the demons here to find an infernal tome teaching Mining Mastery, which I sent to Stardew Valley. I also found a Progressive Dagger and Slime Egg-Press here for SV. I got a few non-Progression things for KH2 as well, including a Max MP Up, Item Boost, and Donald Blizzard Boost. I found a Moon Stone in these mines too, and sent it to Emerald, and finally found Nexus Overcharge tech to give my Nexuses an attack. There's one room I can't enter, and I'll need this level's Blue Keycard for it.

The Living End: Arcaneum found this level in Route 9, when they defeated Bug Catcher Connor and learned of the location of a Hell portal on this route. This had some useful treasure, but not much Progression. The only thing here that might unlock a check is the Rumbling Rose keychain for KH2, and I also found Item Slot Up and a Dark Anklet for that game. I also found some Protoss Sentries here, and the infernal powers of Hell allowed my Zerg Corruptors (when I get them) to use the Corruption ability to make targeted units take more damage. Finally, I found 18000 Gil for FFV.

I am now BKed in Doom 2.
 
Nice a new translator. Shame this one doesn't open too many checks at the moment, I'd get more use out of it once I get proper spaceflight.

Progression Items found this session
Avenger - ExplorerOfFuture
Time Piece - ExplorerOfTime
Progressive Sword - ExplorerOfPast

Death 3: Energy
The astronaut had received yet another translator, one that would allow them to read the text left in all the off-planet spots across the solar system. Their warp pad path had led them to the rocky Ember Twin, the unstable Brittle Hollow, and even to the Space Station near the edge of the solar system. With plenty of time still left in this loop, they turned to take on the last place to check, the Sun Station. With no difficulty at all, the astronaut entered the main body of the station, and began to read the text there.
Suddenly, a force began to pull them horizontally into the wall, overpowering even the gravity crystals embedded into the floor tiles. The astronaut barely even had the chance to understand why they were moving before the overwhelming heat roasted them, as the sun swallowed the station whole, becoming a Red Giant.

This death's on me, I should have remembered that this happens at the 10.5 minute mark, and I didn't enter it until probably the 10 minute mark exactly (I got stuck in the sand for a bit)
 
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This on the other hand is uhhh... hm. I'm gonna need my PokeFlute (which I've already hinted for, but is locked behind needing the Cascade Badge and Cut) as well as the Bicycle. So it's locked behind three different things and I'm not really able to hint for any of them currently. I'll keep you updated on how it's going if you'd like, but it's not looking like I'll be able to get them any time soon, unfortunately.
I'm currently working on this! I got a lot more unlocked in Leaf Green than I thought and no longer need the PokeFlute for this, and now know the locations of both the Cascade Badge and Cut. The good news is the Cascade Badge is easy to pick up and just requires I get lots of treasures in Kirby Super Star (which I assume I'm at least decently close to, I haven't checked), and the bad news is that Cut is in Phazon Mines in Metroid Prime, which is notoriously hard to get to and likely requires a lot, so I don't think I'll get it quickly. Will let you know once I've picked it up though!
 
A Hat in Time
Update #3


I cleared out everything in Chapter One and a couple missions I have available in Chapter Three. I'm now BKed in this game, too.

Heating Up Mafia Town: I got access to lots of checks in Mafia Town, thanks to the Ice Hat giving me access to this level. First off, I found a Foraging Level on the scaffolding, then a Dwarvish Safety Manual power book for SV in a wooden cage. I found a Body Pillow for Holocure in a balcony chest, and Auto Summon for KH2 in the chest on the clock tower. On top of some dweller boxes, I found some Marauder Stimpacks. I found some Enhanced Mitochondria on a hot-air balloon to give my Brood Queens more energy, and a Geode Crusher recipe for SV on a lava island. I found Emily's second heart on another balcony, and the Excalibur Item on the end of the floating platforms. Finally, I found the Piki Piki Piman for Holocure in the lava.

Time Rift: Rumbi Factory: I first found an Oil Maker by a toxic waste dispenser, which doesn't seem like it's safe to make oil from, but I sent it to SV anyway. I then found Emission Blue Magic for FFV from behind the shutter doors. In the third area, I found a Progressive Mine Elevator. On the green box assembly line, I found Gravitic Drives to improve the speed of my Warp Prisms, the last notable item of the level.

She Came From Outer Space: This level let me get most of the other Mafia Town items, since the ocean wasn't lava anymore. First off, I found my Fire Rod on a small boat. The blue vault had a TM for Emerald, and the crate next to it had a Trap Bobber for Stardew Valley. Finally, the chest by the docks had the Beanstone 5 for the Mario Bros.

Time Rift: Deep Sea: Mafia Town has a Purple Time Rift available, which led to Deep Sea, and the starfish page had 5 Holds for HoloCure. I found a Small Key for the Palace of Darkness in the big castle, and Bean Fruit 6 for Mario and Luigi. I finally found the Greenhouse for Stardew Valley on a starfish floating over lava.

Ship Shape: This level gave me access to the S.S. Literally Can't Sink, though I don't have access to either check on the Docks. I first found the DrgnSwd Ability for FF5 and a Small Key for the Palace of Darkness, both in the Octopus Room. The dive board ledge on the top had KH2's Guardian Soul.

I also had Tasksanity on, so I got a bunch of checks for doing that. First off, I got a TM for SetsunaLG for serving food to a pair of Express Owls. Delivering some batteries to the generator octopus got a Quick Claw for Emerald, and passing along some coded messages for the Crows got a TM for ArcLG. I brought the Mafia Boss to a table, and he gave me some Zerg Infestors, then found the Soul Badge for ArcLG in a piece of trash I threw away for the captain. I served drinks for a Seal and got a Missile Expansion for Metroid Prime, then brought drinks to a Moon Penguin to get a Farm Obelisk for Stardew Valley. Finally, I put some laundry in and got a White Lv.4 Ability for FF5.

Contractual Obligations: I sold my soul to the Snatcher for the fourth time to get him to repair the Bridge in Stardew Valley. I also found a Seashell for my Short Hike here. That's it, since I already cleared out most of Subcon Forest previously.

The Subcon Well: Just some consumables here, and a Bucket Hat cosmetic for Stardew Valley that I found on a pipe.

Toilet of Doom: The boss this level is named after only dropped a Nomel Berry for Emerald. I don't think using it as a PokeBlock ingredient is a good idea, considering where it came from.

Time Rift: Dead Bird Studio: I found more Traveling Merchant Stock Size on top of a metal bar, then found a Ganon's Tower Small Key by the Lava Lamp. I found the Big Bridge Key for FFV in the corner of the tower area, and, most importantly, my Moon Pearl for my LttP, which is the most important item in that game and will unlock a lot of checks there.

Time Rift: Alpine Skyline: I found a Lucky Emblem for KH2 on the entrance's hidden ledge, and a Time Piece on the top of a birdhouse. Nothing else worth mentioning.

Time Rift: Balcony: Just a useless set of three Bombs; I was already at max capacity when I last played LttP.

Your Contract has Expired: I beat up the Snatcher and got a Progressive Watering Can for Stardew Valley.

Train Rush: This just had a regular Poke Ball for ArcLG.
 
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